Legacy of legends

Roland Martin, Bill Dance, and Jimmy Houston, the early superstars of B.A.S.S. who went on to TV fame, just keep on rolling.

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Jimmy Houston, Bill Dance and Roland Martin pose with the author at their 2015 ICAST booth, Th3Legends.
Jimmy Houston, Bill Dance and Roland Martin pose with the author at their 2015 ICAST booth, Th3Legends.
At ICAST 2014, Dance goofs with a life jacket, one of the products their joint venture promotes.
At ICAST 2014, Dance goofs with a life jacket, one of the products their joint venture promotes.
Fishing gloves are another signature item, and Dance, king of the fishing blooper videos, finds an alternative use.
Fishing gloves are another signature item, and Dance, king of the fishing blooper videos, finds an alternative use.
Bill Dance had planned to become a doctor like his father and grandfather, but didn’t think he could continue on that path after being first on the scene of a grisly motorcycle accident. He turned his focus to fishing.
Bill Dance had planned to become a doctor like his father and grandfather, but didn’t think he could continue on that path after being first on the scene of a grisly motorcycle accident. He turned his focus to fishing.
Dance, who began his TV show in 1968, was one of bass fishing’s first superstars along with Roland Martin (right).
Dance, who began his TV show in 1968, was one of bass fishing’s first superstars along with Roland Martin (right).
Dance won the first Bassmaster Angler of the Year title in 1970 before Roland Martin took over.
Dance won the first Bassmaster Angler of the Year title in 1970 before Roland Martin took over.
Martin, who popularized pattern fishing, had a dominate span, winning AOY titles the next three years.
Martin, who popularized pattern fishing, had a dominate span, winning AOY titles the next three years.
Martin’s first of a record nine AOYs came in 1971, when he topped Tom Mann by a mere three points.
Martin’s first of a record nine AOYs came in 1971, when he topped Tom Mann by a mere three points.
Dance was always in the hunt right behind Martin. He won seven of the first 19 Bassmaster events.
Dance was always in the hunt right behind Martin. He won seven of the first 19 Bassmaster events.
Martin was just a little bit better in capturing AOY titles from 1971-73. He won six of 17 events, finished runner-up five times and posted top fives in all but one event.
Martin was just a little bit better in capturing AOY titles from 1971-73. He won six of 17 events, finished runner-up five times and posted top fives in all but one event.
The one title that escaped Martin was a Classic championship.
The one title that escaped Martin was a Classic championship.
Martin held the B.A.S.S. record for victories with 19 until Kevin VanDam eclipsed it in 2011.
Martin held the B.A.S.S. record for victories with 19 until Kevin VanDam eclipsed it in 2011.
Martin has earned the moniker, “The Great American Fisherman.” He now lives in Clewiston, Fla., and runs a marina under his name.
Martin has earned the moniker, “The Great American Fisherman.” He now lives in Clewiston, Fla., and runs a marina under his name.
His love of fishing started early. Martin mowed lawns as a middle schooler in exchange for fishing trips with experienced anglers, where he observed and learned.
His love of fishing started early. Martin mowed lawns as a middle schooler in exchange for fishing trips with experienced anglers, where he observed and learned.
By the age of 16, Martin was good enough to fish alone. He built a pontoon boat from discarded military fuel tanks then received a permit to fish reservoirs near his home in Laurel, Md.
By the age of 16, Martin was good enough to fish alone. He built a pontoon boat from discarded military fuel tanks then received a permit to fish reservoirs near his home in Laurel, Md.
Martin went against his father’s wishes and became a guide on the Santee and Cooper rivers near Charleston, S.C.
Martin went against his father’s wishes and became a guide on the Santee and Cooper rivers near Charleston, S.C.
With a degree in biology from the University of Maryland, his bass fishing knowledge and ability to assess what the bass were doing, he set the fishing world on fire.
With a degree in biology from the University of Maryland, his bass fishing knowledge and ability to assess what the bass were doing, he set the fishing world on fire.
Martin won AOY titles in 1971-73, 1975, 1978-79, 1981, 1984-85.
Martin won AOY titles in 1971-73, 1975, 1978-79, 1981, 1984-85.
His long-running show, ‘Fishing with Roland Martin,’ runs on NBCSN. And he’s not just about bass fishing. Anything that swims is fair game.
His long-running show, ‘Fishing with Roland Martin,’ runs on NBCSN. And he’s not just about bass fishing. Anything that swims is fair game.
Dance won his second AOY in 1974, the first to take it without winning an event.
Dance won his second AOY in 1974, the first to take it without winning an event.
Dance did finish in the top 6 in four events and was in the top 20 of every tournament. That Tennessee cap became Dance’s calling card.
Dance did finish in the top 6 in four events and was in the top 20 of every tournament. That Tennessee cap became Dance’s calling card.
Dance, with Bassmaster.com editor Steve Bowman some 25 years ago, related the story that Volunteers Coach Doug Dickey sent him some hats after he corresponded with a football recruit who was a fan of his.
Dance, with Bassmaster.com editor Steve Bowman some 25 years ago, related the story that Volunteers Coach Doug Dickey sent him some hats after he corresponded with a football recruit who was a fan of his.
Again with Bowman last year, Dance had a new Vols cap. He said it became a part of his identity after wearing it during a big victory and then on his show.
Again with Bowman last year, Dance had a new Vols cap. He said it became a part of his identity after wearing it during a big victory and then on his show.
AOY trophies also did. He won his second in 1974 and his third in 1977. He retired from competitive fishing in 1980.
AOY trophies also did. He won his second in 1974 and his third in 1977. He retired from competitive fishing in 1980.
Homer Circle, the Hall of Fame writer, jokes with Dance around that third AOY.
Homer Circle, the Hall of Fame writer, jokes with Dance around that third AOY.
Comedian Jerry Clower was a frequent guest on ‘Bill Dance Outdoors.’ Actor/musician Jerry Reed also made frequent appearances, and his song ‘Today is Mine’ was Dance’s theme song.
Comedian Jerry Clower was a frequent guest on ‘Bill Dance Outdoors.’ Actor/musician Jerry Reed also made frequent appearances, and his song ‘Today is Mine’ was Dance’s theme song.
Dance is also well-known for his hilarious blooper reels.
Dance is also well-known for his hilarious blooper reels.
Martin and Dance have fished for most every species and with luminaries such as Bass Pro Shops founder Johnny Morris, who was also a competitor in early bass tournaments.
Martin and Dance have fished for most every species and with luminaries such as Bass Pro Shops founder Johnny Morris, who was also a competitor in early bass tournaments.
Jimmy Houston left the insurance business to fish competitively. He fished his first Bassmaster event in 1968 but didn’t fish the complete schedule until 1975.
Jimmy Houston left the insurance business to fish competitively. He fished his first Bassmaster event in 1968 but didn’t fish the complete schedule until 1975.
The Oklahoman finished third in the AOY race that year and told B.A.S.S. founder Ray Scott he planned to win the following year.
The Oklahoman finished third in the AOY race that year and told B.A.S.S. founder Ray Scott he planned to win the following year.
Scott just laughed at him, asking if he really thought he could knock off the likes Martin, Dance and Ricky Green.
Scott just laughed at him, asking if he really thought he could knock off the likes Martin, Dance and Ricky Green.
Houston did, breaking the Martin and Dance stranglehold on the AOY in 1976.
Houston did, breaking the Martin and Dance stranglehold on the AOY in 1976.
'That was only the real goal I’ve ever set in bass fishing tournaments,’ said Houston, who became known as ‘America’s Favorite Fisherman.’
‘That was only the real goal I’ve ever set in bass fishing tournaments,’ said Houston, who became known as ‘America’s Favorite Fisherman.’
Houston also became known for his hair, and for kissing his fish.
Houston also became known for his hair, and for kissing his fish.
In 1986, he won his second and final AOY. The 10 years still remains the longest stretch between titles.
In 1986, he won his second and final AOY. The 10 years still remains the longest stretch between titles.
‘I actually won it again another time,’ he said, ‘but I really didn’t intend to that year.’
‘I actually won it again another time,’ he said, ‘but I really didn’t intend to that year.’
Houston fished in the inaugural Elite season in 2006 before competing in FLW events the past decade. He said he considers being the oldest competitor to qualify for the FLW Championship as a pretty great accomplishment.
Houston fished in the inaugural Elite season in 2006 before competing in FLW events the past decade. He said he considers being the oldest competitor to qualify for the FLW Championship as a pretty great accomplishment.
Like Martin, who fishes the Opens in hopes of reaching his 26th Classic, Houston is still competing. ‘If I had a goal right now, it’d be nice to qualify for another (FLW) Championship or the Bassmaster Classic.’
Like Martin, who fishes the Opens in hopes of reaching his 26th Classic, Houston is still competing. ‘If I had a goal right now, it’d be nice to qualify for another (FLW) Championship or the Bassmaster Classic.’
Martin competes in the Bass Pro Shops Southern Opens, where he holds the possibility of etching his name on a Classic trophy. ‘It doesn’t have to happen,’ Martin said. ‘It’s neat to have ambition and goals. I’d like to climb Mt. Everest. I know that’s not possible, but I’d like to do it.’
Martin competes in the Bass Pro Shops Southern Opens, where he holds the possibility of etching his name on a Classic trophy. ‘It doesn’t have to happen,’ Martin said. ‘It’s neat to have ambition and goals. I’d like to climb Mt. Everest. I know that’s not possible, but I’d like to do it.’
Martin realizes he has a number of legacies in fishing, including son Scott, who won the FLW AOY this year to give the family an even 10.
Martin realizes he has a number of legacies in fishing, including son Scott, who won the FLW AOY this year to give the family an even 10.
Rick Clunn and Roland Martin embrace not long ago. The two have long debated the merits of Classic wins vs. AOY titles. Martin’s final AOY titles came back-to-back in 1984-85, not long before Clunn won the fourth of his Classic crowns in 1990.
Rick Clunn and Roland Martin embrace not long ago. The two have long debated the merits of Classic wins vs. AOY titles. Martin’s final AOY titles came back-to-back in 1984-85, not long before Clunn won the fourth of his Classic crowns in 1990.
The legends remain great friends today. They still hunt and fish together, and often appear on each other’s shows.
The legends remain great friends today. They still hunt and fish together, and often appear on each other’s shows.
Bill Dance gives a great final thought from Th3Legends, saying for all his success in the fishing business, his greatest moments was being there to see all his children and grandchildren catch their first fish.
Bill Dance gives a great final thought from Th3Legends, saying for all his success in the fishing business, his greatest moments was being there to see all his children and grandchildren catch their first fish.